Family visiting!!! 10-20-12

We had family in town for Cameron's dedication and enjoyed a day at the pumpkin patch with them.  We loved having my mom, dad, sister, niece, Matt's mom, Matt's stepdad, and our nephew visiting for the weekend.  Here are some pics of the good times!!!

 Yeah, you try to get 3 toddlers to all look at the camera at the same time! Alex, Avery, and JR!

 Well, I finally got at least 2 of them!

 Alex LOVED feeding the goats!  We were cheap and just fed them grass instead of buying the food.

 Avery feeding the goats...

 JR taking his turn feeding the goats!

 More goat feeding!!!

 Avery and Alex watching the really big bunny!

 Avery as a pumpkin head!

 I LOVE that JR's face fits right in with the other pumpkin faces!

 The girls...love their sweetness!

 She is definitely our "blessing"

 JR and Pops playing in the trees!

 Love her...she's always making me laugh!

 Wagon ride!

 Yes, he spotted this tractor tucked away under a shelf from a mile away, so we drug it out and he LOVED it!!!

 Avery's turn on the tractor!

Pops pushing JR on the tractor since he couldn't reach the pedals!

Cameron's Dedication 10-21-12

I can't put into words how blessed we feel to have a church family to help guide and support us in our commitment to raise Cameron (and Alex) in a home that follows Christ.  Our daily prayer is that one day our children will accept Christ as their Lord and Savior and make the personal commitment to follow him.  We also got to witness the baptism of our friend's daughter, Marlee Mayhew, on this same day which was a full circle for them as they made this same dedication commitment when she was just a baby.
When speaking of "dedication" with friends, many have asked what is the difference than "baptizing" at that age.  I wish this is where I could insert Bro. Mark's sermon from a few weeks ago but I will do my best to explain how the Bible describes baptism. 
Dedication is a time used for parents to outwardly and verbally make a commitment to raise our child in a Godly home and the church makes the commitment to the parents to be there for support and encouragement.  The act of Baptism is performed only after someone has made the personal commitment to be a follower of Jesus Christ and is saved by accepting Christ into their heart.  Being saved can happen at any point in your life and therefore baptism is performed as an outward expression of what has already happened on the inside.

We were thankful to have our families here to share in such a special day and also being able to stand on stage and make this commitment with friends and their children.  My mom, dad, sister, niece, and Matt's mom, dad, and nephew were all able to be there during this special time.  Alex was able to sit in the congregation with them and while he doesn't understand yet what was happening, we will be able to one day explain it all to both him and Cameron.

 Cameron's information slide.

 Cameron was talking to everyone and was just so happy!  Telling everyone about Jesus!

 All the babies that we dedicated with including our close friends, Charli Bandermann, Emily Bowen, Cooper Barb, and Mercy Grace Stephens!

 Brunch at O'Charley's following the service!

Playtime with G-mom at brunch!

6 months already...need you to slow down!!!

Well, after trying to catch up a couple of weeks ago, little lady has kept us busy with her continued changes.  Here are a few things you have been up to:

* You are sitting like a pro!  You went from not wanting anything to do with sitting to no wobbles in a matter of 2 days.

* You LIGHT UP whenever you see brother.  You get the biggest gummie grin on your face and then start kicking and squeeling until he comes over and gives you a kiss.  You are the 1st or 2nd person Alex looks for in the mornings, usually after he is looking for daddy.

* You have started trying to "hug" and "kiss" when I pick you up from daycare.  It's like you get so happy to see me and it just melts my heart more than you will ever know!

* You have started take 2-6 oz bottles at daycare.  The 5 ounces just weren't enough to satisfy you.

* We love playing with your thunder thighs which is the perfect sign that you are mine and daddy's baby girl!  You definitely get those honestly...

* We have kept you pretty consistent with your foods since you are still loving to nurse...apples, pears, peaches, prune-apples, and sweet potatoes!

* You still enjoy a feeding in the early morning hours.  I usually take this time to just stare at you in amazement... I feel SO blessed to have a daughter and sometimes I just take a few moments to thank the Lord for you and Alex!

Words will never be able to express what you mean to us and the amount of joy you have brought to our lives.  We LOVE you SO MUCH!!!

 Aunt Loz and Uncle Kyle's wedding!

 Smilin' with daddy!

 Playin' with your feet...which you LOVE to do and also suck on your toes!!!

 One of MANY kisses from brother!

Ready to eat...

 

 

Your free-going personality and love to smile attitude lights up our life in so many ways!  I don't want you to grow up so fast but I'm excited to see what the next month brings!

 

LOVE you our "LITTLE LADY"

 

 

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